Vehicles that Offer the Best Values for 2012
Just because a car is cheap doesn't mean it's a good value. A low-priced vehicle could end up costing you more over the long term due to depreciation, maintenance, repair and other costs.
So how do you determine which cars have the best value? Luckily, Consumer Reports has done the research and has just released their picks for 2012.
They started with 200 vehicles, separated them into eleven categories, and picked the best values based on 5-year ownership costs, reliability ratings, and road tests.
The Honda Fit was ranked as the #1 best overall value. The small car category overall represented the best value by segment. Case in point: the Chevrolet Cruze came in last place within that group, but it still ranked better than average when compared to all other vehicles.
The following are the best and worst vehicles when it comes to value. If you're in the market for a new car, make sure to include the winners in your consideration and test-drive list.
| Best | Worst |
| Honda Fit | Jaguar XJL |
| Toyota Prius Four | Cadillac Escalade (base) |
| Volkswagen Golf TDI (manual) | Jaguar XF (base) |
| Scion xD | Mercedes-Benz S550 |
| Toyota Corolla | Mercedes-Benz GL450 |
| Scion xB | Porsche Cayenne (base, V6) |
| Toyota Matrix (base, 1.8L) | BMW 750Li |
| Mini Cooper (base, manual) | Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec |
| Toyota RAV4 (base, 4-cyl.) | Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara |
| Mazda3 i Touring | Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ (5.3) |
Click Here to see the full list of rankings
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